Many health-care practitioners consider gut ecology – maintaining a healthy balance of the microorganisms that normally live in the digestive tract – and gut function to be key to overall health, including proper immune function.* In women's health in particular, the relationship between the health of gut flora and vaginal flora in receiving increasing recognition. Thorne's Undecyn combines the flora-enhancing qualities of a unique form of undecylenic acid – which is more effective than caprylic acid – with betaine hydrochloride. This formulation enables Undecyn to maintain full potency throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Berberine, which also helps to maintain a healthy balance of normal bacteria in the intestines, is also included in Undecyn.*

An imbalance in the flora in the GI tract can be caused by various reasons, including an unhealthy diet, inadequate digestive enzyme activity, oral contraceptives, and the use of various prescription and OTC medications.

Fatty acids have a long and well-recognized use for helping to maintain a healthy balance of the microorganisms that normally live in the gastrointestinal tract.* In fact, during the past 50 years, fatty acids have demonstrated their effectiveness in supporting a healthy gut flora in a number of studies.* Fatty acids bound to minerals such as calcium – like the calcium undecylenate of Undecyn – are more sensitive to the acid/alkaline balance in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, betaine hydrochloride is included in Undecyn's formula to provide an acidic environment in the small intestine to achieve its optimal efficacy.*

Berberine, well known for helping maintain a healthy balance of normal bacteria in the intestines,* is found in many plants – including Berberis aristata (Indian barberry), Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Coptis chinensis (Coptis or golden thread), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), and Berberis vulgaris (barberry).